I’ve previously been told that once Benji loses belief or falls out with a player, there is no turning back, he doesn’t change his mind.
If you look at team selections it seems to be the case.
Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion
- Thread starter MacDougall
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If you look at team selections it seems to be the case.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
So that’s why TDS wasn’t in first grade. Benji no longer had faith in him. TDS is stuck in reserve grade, his management ask what the go is, Benji says he wants to prioritise Api, and his management say “Ok, can we go elsewhere then?”. It makes sense now.
I don’t know if he was a fan of TDS or not, all I’m saying is I’ve been told it’s very hard for a player to get back in Benji’s good books once he he loses faith in that players ability or has a fall out for other reasons.
I would assume that’s not too dissimilar to how most coaches operate, but it’s certainly not ideal as I think a good coach should be capable of working hard with players who lose form, confidence, fitness, discipline, motivation etc and at times turning it around and getting the very best out of that player.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
It certainly fits what you say though. He was dropped before it broke that he was given permission to leave. Wouldn’t surprise me if that’s how it played out.
Buttface
Well-known member
I didn’t know that, and I’m guessing his old man didn’t either, bcoz he was as bewildered as anyone. I actually tried to be nice and say he was a solid player or some BS, but his dad sorta pulled me up and said no, there are better players. He was brutally honest about his son’s abilities. I remember bcoz he literally asked me what I saw in him? Which sorta put me on the spot, I it found strange, but refreshing from a parent. Although I must say he had a few, free drinks, under his belt.
I guess its who you know.
pawsandclaws1
Well-known member
That was the crew back in 2015
+ Kyle Lovett and Curtis Sironen.
Remember seeing flicks of them all out most weekends.
6 First grade teams and played for Italy.
He did something most of us wish we could do.
But yeah, he was nothing special 😂
TigerBurnsy
Well-known member
I’d even go bird or may over twal
weststigerman
Well-known member
That’s definitely how it played out with Bateman, Sullivan and Naden last year.
This year it appears to be Royce, Kit and Naden (again).
Interesting that guys like Twal, Mason and Seyfarth seem to get multiple chances.
GNR4LIFE
Well-known member
The word on Seyfarth is that he trains his arse off. I think that has a lot to do why he’s one of Benji’s favourites.
TigerBurnsy
Well-known member
Tbf he did give naden a second chance, no clue why tho
TigerBurnsy
Well-known member
Idk what Benji sees in mason I think he won’t make it, and Benji is allergic to dropping
True.
Plenty of our supporter base say it’s lack of NRL coaching experience before being given the job by us, but this example is more about attitude.
Benji has made no secret he likes to take a lot of what he learned from being coached by Wayne Bennett and applying that to his own coaching methods, BUT I would assume as part of Wayne Bennett’s highly regarded and second to none man management skills, he would have kept his discussions with players out of form, lacking discipline etc most likely confidential and it’s unlikely the other players such as Benji would have been privy to that side of things or how a master in Bennett would handle it.
weststigerman
Well-known member
I think it’s way too early for him. Needs a couple of years at either 1 or 6 in NSW Cup.
Not sure if he’ll make it but he’s been thrown in way before he’s ready just like Laulilli and I can see it happening again with Makasini.
I see what he sees in Mason.
Young kid who works extremely hard, wants to learn and gives 💯
I understand it takes more than that to be a long term NRL player, but nothing I’ve seen makes me any less convinced that Mason will become an exceptionally good number 14 with great utility value.
With TDS departing that very role could become available sooner than later.
jirskyr
Well-known member
I believe he plays for Storm, Will Warchest?
weststigerman
Well-known member
He’s probably okay as a bench middle but because he’s forced to play on an edge he’s been exposed.
This all happened because Benji being was off Bateman and got rid of him with no replacement.
BAGNF05
Well-known member
Depends if you think they’re capable of being what you need. The Bulldogs turned over nearly their entire 30 man squad and Benji is probably thinking he needs to do something similar.
Tucker
Well-known member
Get rid of the majority of the squad he built?
